2009 at the Movies: The Ruud Review

Better late than never.

Welcome to another year in review by my good self. Like last year, this is far more involved that it would have been if I had actually review films at the time. Last years lesson was not learnt. Enjoy regardless.

January

Role Models
Jane Lynch does my head in and could have easily ruined this for me. However this is a decent comedy film. Actually its quite hilarious, so I wont let her. Now lets see, the four man lead men are cracking, the two adults are funny and the kids are hilarious. Oh and I look like Christopher Mintz-Plasse in his Kiss make up at the end. it’s a harsh reality I am dealing with right now. I get called McLovin quite a lot which technically isn’t right but arguing over that small point seems futile.

(8) Slumdog Millionaire
Worthy winner of all it won, what a cracking movie, I remember way back when it was released a film fan friend of mine said as soon as he had seen it that it was the best film he had ever seen, dunno really if he still stand by that, but as soon as the credits roll the first time you see it, you can be forgiven for that being the first thought to enter your head. Beautiful to look at, great performances, funny but also harrowing in parts.

(3) The Wrestler
There are so many nice wee details in this, such as his own wresting figure, the old NES computer game and the insight into his cutting, however the one I loved the best was when he started his new job on the meat counter in the supermarket and the noise of the crowd grew as he made his way from the (supermarket) locker-room to his place of business (hairnet et al) it made me smile. See its such an interesting topic for a man of my age and status and it really is a good film. Mickey Rourke is fantastic in his role and really should have bagged an Oscar to go with his Golden Globe. But it wasn’t to be.

Rachel Getting Married
A difficult watch, I think I have been watching too many bigger budget films that this films indie sensibilities kind of jars. But as it moves on I found it quite affecting and I instantly jumped on line when I got home to look up this film to find out some theories on some unanswered (for me) aspects of the film. The music is good and some of the funnier moments had me laughing out loud though in no way is it a comedy.

Revolutionary Road
Another difficult watch, the reason being that the two main characters are so unappealing. Neither one has anything for you to cling onto and follow through. They are both so unlikeable. I wished neither any real happiness as I went through watching it. It is a nice film to look at however. Very Mad Men.

February

Bolt
Some excellent sight gags. Actually some really really excellent sight gags. A good movie for kids which I enjoyed immensely. All the characters are good and none are particularly annoying which is very impressive. The hamster is awesome.

Push
Well is this not a decent low budget (in comparison to others in the genre) superhero flick. Set in Hong Kong it was always gonna be a winner for me but the premise behind it is great, super powered superheroes, government spooks, potential superhero armies. Well written, nice set up. Chris Evans is good, Dakota Fanning is good. Hope this gets sequels because as a setting up original it shows great promise.

(4) Watchmen
So this seems like it is the natural amalgamation of the superhero comic book adaptation world. With the costumes it seems like Christopher Reeve in Superman and with the dark storylines it seems like Chris Nolan’s Dark Knight. But the big swinging blue dongs? that’s certainly new. This was a genuine joy to see at the cinema (12 foot dongs aside) and everything about it felt good, it was really well done. The music too was fantastic. Alan Moore has had his stuff shat on a fair bit but this one was done well.

He’s Just Not That Into You
Trash, I just don’t know what his is supposed to be. So many funny folk in it form funny films and tv shows and they are just simpering messes. Is this supposed to be a comedy or maybe something else, a drama maybe? But its not very dramatic. Only if you are mad would you (want to) associate yourself with anyone in this. Scarlett Johansson’s chest is awesome though. Woo!

March

Big fat nothing this month.

April

Fast and Furious
Do you know what? I actually liked this a fair bit. It was good to look at and never taxed my mind too much. Sometimes that’s all a viewer needs. I still don’t understand why they billed it as the return of the original four though. Paul Walker and Vin Diesel yes, the two burds? Er, no. Happily I am not wasting anything for anyone who hasn’t seen it by saying that their input is brushed aside promptly and the muscle-bound gear-head homo-erotica is brought front and centre and stays there till the credits roll.

I Love You, Man
I’m not too sure about this Paul Rudd chap. Some think he is poised to take over comedy flicks in the leading man spot but not me. He is good and all but at no point do I think to myself, I wanna be like Paul Rudd in that film, take this for example, I know he plays the friendless character well but I just don’t get that feeling, that bromantic feeling I think is essential for a guy to feel about his leading man. Am I making sense? Is that a fair point. I might look further into that point this year actually, guys need to secretly fancy the leading man to connect fully! I think I have hit upon something here. Anyway, decent film apart from me fancying the lead guy (this is taking a weird direction) however Jason Seigel is awesome.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine
I read the comic books before seeing this which is not something I usually do but I never knew that this is what its based on. Actually its not, the pre credits are based on it but even then its kind of wrong. No matter, they set up the film which is fine. However the film is a bit of a mess. Wolverine is such a great character its good that he got this film and it sets up a sequel well (Japanese samurai story please) but its so all over the place as a film in its own right. A lot of characters are introduced but not enough are expanded. The Deadpool character was talked up then let down. The other mutants only get slim pickings, there seems to be too many thrown in but not enough with a real purpose. But the action was good. I didn’t like the claws, they looked to fake I thought, a small aesthetic bone to pick. It could have been better, the sequel I have high hopes for. Oh and Liev Schrieber was fantastic in it, as he is a lot of things though he made the most out of it because his character was almost sidelined too much too.

May

(2) Star Trek
I have never really been a Star Trek fan, my mate Stewart was, and still is I guess, I used to point and laugh at him and his trekker status. Now I haven’t changed my mind and now find myself ready to start watching all the series of the different crews and all that, however like him now, I do look forward immensely to the follow up to the new rebooted film. Because JJ Abrams version of events is simply brilliant! It reminds me of a kind of Oceans 11 in space, getting the gang altogether, those sort of films are always enjoyable, but it was the way it folded the history of the characters we all know into this new reboot. Its done so deftly in a time travelling style which is ingenious but also quite easy to follow. It also caters for those who aren’t as immersed in the Trek lore as others. I mean I am sure there are subtle things for the big fans but for me, (a man who knows that there is a guy called spock who has pointy ears, the captain is James T Kirk and there is a Russian somewhere, a doctor called Bones and Scotty who has a Scottish accent and does the beam up) the way they are all introduced is informative and the familiar stock lines of “I’m a doctor Jim” and Scotty mentions Dilithium chambers and such are actually really funny. Its so well cast, its so well directed, its great fun, I loved it. Star Trek 2 as soon as possible please.

Fighting
This was more than a little rubbish, a crap story about a street fighter who after beating up a couple of halfwits gets taken on as a paid underworld street fighter for big bucks. He gets interested in some girl who surely cant be interested in him back cos he can hardly talk, but does, but she has something to do with his booker/mentor then they get offered even bigger bucks for a fight, he has dad issues and Ternece Howard has a really weird accent throughout. Its just a bit of a mess.

(10) Synedoche, New York
I just don’t think I am clever enough to know exactly what a Charlie Kaufman film is all about but that doesn’t stop me enjoying it. Turns out this is all about a disease or something and that there is all sorts of clues to follow that particular theme through it that are completely obtuse to me. Clues like Hoffman’s characters name I have learned since is actually the diseases name. But as I say, I liked this and there is lots to like, curious oddities such as a woman who lives in a house that is burning down to the actually crux of the story of a theatre director trying to produce his masterpiece which is a slice of real life in a full scale version of New York built inside a warehouse hold your interest. This is definitely a film that will improve over repeat viewings as more and more things coem to the fore that maybe didn’t before.


June

Last Chance Harvey
A love story for older folks but one that can probably resonate with lots of younger people too, separated families being a common occurrence these days. Also plays on aspects of loneliness which we all feel from time to time. A nice film.

(1) The Hangover
Funniest film of the year and also the best film of the year. If you have ever been on a stag party abroad or wherever this is just a totally exaggerated but still quite real depiction of the weird madness that (in my experience) seems to happen and to make a riotous comedy film of that makes sense. Also it was interesting to see a comedy work so well as a whodunnit. The lead actors hold it together brilliantly with a special mention to Bradley Cooper who I thought was irritating as anything in The Wedding Crashers but in this is super cool and actually fulfils the remit I mentioned in the I Love You, Man bit abover where the bromance is there. You definitely want to be him and if you cant then you would like to be his pal. Las Vegas as a locale was also an eye opener, maybe I am naïve but in my mind it was always the gambling that I focused on, the party aspect though is now on my radar. Must visit it soon. There really is so many funny quips and scenes, and its good to see progression from directors whose work was good before but seems to have got better. Looking forward to a repeat viewing.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Oh man. The swinging balls on one of the Decepticons in this film were the same as the swinging through the jungle with the monkeys scene from last years Indy. IE the scenes that kinda ruined it for me. I was willing to overlook the crap plot and everything as it was cool to look at and a real popcorn munching blockbuster. I really was. But the balls just made me think why? Why did he put them in? so stupid. Hopefully the third one is better.

July

The Proposal
In Canada this film was promoted pretty heavily as a Canadian playing an American (Reynolds) and an American playing a Canadian (Bullock) and the romantic tomfoolery that ensues. I think they did this because the product actually is a bit pants. Its not bad but not particularly good either. The leading pairs chemistry is kinda rubbish but Betty White is funny, she was a Golden Girl many years ago, I used to watch that. But as I say a film that promotes itself on the odd casting seems doomed to begin with.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Having read all the books so know how the story ends but these films are getting better and better as we move the story on. Yes there is loads cut from the book but as a film it moves so so well. The final double biller should be fantastic.

August

The Ugly Truth
Its so good to get a romantic comedy with a manly man in it for a change. This film is surprising. It comes across in trailers as a basic rom com with maybe a little bite. But in truth its foul mouthed and dirty. Its also very very funny. Gerard Butler does a decent American accent and Katherine Heigl would get it big style. Sure the romance stuff is spotted a mile off but its done in a good way. Swearing is funny.

Funny People
Disappointed is how best to describe my reaction to Judd Apatow’s return to directing. Thing is, its not really just down to the film, which I am sure on repeat viewing would stand up better and better every viewing. Its how it was packaged. It was packaged as a laugh fest with comedy gods galore on show, Sandler, Rogen, Hill? But what it is is a comedy drama about Funny People not the riotous comedy expected. Which is fine but I was all set for certain something and got something completely different and it jarred me. Also the romantic parts suck.

(7) Inglourious Basterds
It’s a film that surprises is this, its like if you filmed absolutely everything in real time over the course of the narrative time, you could have made a film out of the Nazi hunting etc but Tarantino has made a film out of the other half if that makes sense. The thing I don’t get about this is how I really feel about it, I am still torn between thinking I am upset I was duped into thinking it would be a film about a gang seeking out Nazis to kill when really there was very little of that aspect in it and it was more about a plot to take out the main folks in the Nazi party or am I happy and pleasantly surprised about it. Now a new Tarantino film is always going to pique this movie watchers interest, and this was no different, like Death Proof some scenes are simply stretched out too long but I definitely enjoyed it. Good that he has got it off his chest, and some great characters in this proves that Quentin still has it in his locker, Christopher Waltz’ Jew Hunter is amazing, Brad Pitt’s Aldo is funny and his hayseed eyetalian accent in it had me in stitches. Good but not the amazing thing I expected, or rather wanted.

September

Julie and Julia
There is great irony in a guy who blogs about films cos he loves them shitting over a film about a girl who blogs about cooking because she loves it. So I wont, because its actually pretty enjoyable. don’t watch it if your in any way hungry though or you will chew your hand or arms or the corner of your chair as the food looks great.

(9) Away We Go
This is a film about a young (ish, they are in their early 30s) couple looking for their place in the world as they expect the arrival of their new baby. So it resonates with me (apart from the baby bit). There is also a scene where Verona asks her partner Burt “are we fuck ups?” He says no, she tells him she thinks they are because they don’t have the basic stuff figured out, he asks “basic like how?” she reminds them that they have a cardboard window. He reassures her that they arent fuck ups, she protests, and he reassures her We’re not fuck ups” this scene resonates with me just as much. I really liked this, its Sam Mendes second film out this year and by miles his best.

The Soloist
Joe Wrights film has been, cruelly in my eyes, sidelined in the Oscar nom’s this year. It seems to tick all the boxes, Robert Downey Jnr, check. True story, check. Mental instability, check. But no, pretty much nothing. Which is a shame because its really rather good.

October

Couples Retreat
I really really liked this. However forgive me while I now rip it to shreds for the following reasons. 1. The 4 couples seen to have nothing in common. The don’t seem to be couples who hang out a lot. 2. The guys in particular don’t have that guy chemistry you want (a few Vaughn/Favreau scenes apart). 3. The black couple offer nothing. 4. Whys is Jason Bateman and Kristen Bell together, surely there is a HUGE age difference. 5. What’s with the Guitar Hero scene shoehorned in! But apart from all that I still really enjoyed watching it just this stuff never made any sense. Its pretty funny in parts, even the Vince Vaughn loud moments and Malin Ackerman is kind of awesome. In fact I think having caught this film this year I now have the full set of Ackerman’s 2009 movie output in my watched list. Is that cool?

Ong Bak 2
Bonkers, completely bonkers. I haven’t seen the original but gave it a whirl. Was assured I need not have seen it anyway. It, I think, is supposed to be a prequel anyway and now I think I can go see Ong Bak and understand it. I fully expect that not to be the case. This is just excellent fighting which involves hand to hand and weapons. Oh and elephants. The fighting scenes which utilise the elephants are to be beheld as the best elephant scenes committed to film since maybe Dumbo. The film is bananas. Tony Jaa I salute you.

Toy Story 1 & 2 3D
Nice to see at the cinema since I only ever saw these movies on VHS no less! The films are terrific as we all know. The 3D stuff I am not so sure on. Just don’t get the point of it. If you notice the 3D then the film hasn’t got your attention and if you don’t notice it then whats the point? I had my 3D glasses on for the three hours and many times I had to check that there was some 3D effects going on because Buzz and Woody and the gang had me hooked in.

November

(6) Harry Brown
A British thriller set in urban area with Michael Caine as a vigilante pensioner, its terrific. Read my review of it (yes I have actually done one this year!)

(5) The Informant!
Fantastic film from one of my favourite directors, Steven Soderburgh. It is also my opinion that Matt Damon should be everyones favourite actor because his acting chops in this is simply another string to a bow covered in loads and loads of strings. (worst analogy ever) anyway, read my review of this one too if you haven’t already.


December

Oddly like last year I draw a complete blank in December, must be too busy or something. Wanted to see Avatar but only out of curiosity rather than necessity. Sure I will see it this year, it’s a big screen movie for definite.

I should also add that I have seen a fair few other films that didn’t (and may well never) get UK releases. Fanboys, Waking Sleeping Beauty, Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel , Perriers Bounty, Argentinean Oscar hopeful The Secret in their Eyes, the Scottish filmed Viking film: Valhalla Rising, Hong Kong’s newest gangster piece Accident, the Belgian lunacy of A Town Called Panic and The White Stripes documentary of their tour of Canada: Under the Great Northern Lights. Any that come out in 2010 will feature next year. Oh and Up in the Air which will definitely be out in 2010, in fact it probably already is.

Which brings us to…..

The Top Ten in order.

1. The Hangover
2. Star Trek
3. The Wrestler
4. Watchmen
5. The Informant!
6. Harry Brown
7. Inglourious Barsterds
8. Slumdog Millionaire
9. Away We Go
10. Synedoche, New York

And that’s it, finally finished!